Ensilage-packer for silos



J. H. COMER.

ENSILAGE PACKER FOR SILOS. APPLICATION FILED "MAY6, 1919.

Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i i W LL, rrnxAsQ Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ma1u23, 1920.

Application am May 6,1919. 5c ial Na295J99. I

[0 all whom it may concern: a p a Be it known that I, JOHN H. Conn e, a citizen of the United States, residing at Liberty Hill, in the county of Williamson and State of Texas, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Ensilage- Packers for Silos, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to packing devices adapted for packing. ensilage' in cylindrical silos as the ensilage is delivered 'thereinto.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and efficient device of this general character by means of which the center and edges of the ensilage will be packed with equal firmness and solidity. a

The invention consists .in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved device whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use as will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical elevation of a silo, a part being broken away showing my improved packing device in elevation therein. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line X -X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged. transverse sectional View of a spider that carries the axles upon which the packing rollers are mounted. Fig. 4C is a plan view of the same.

As disclosed in the drawings 1 denotes a type of cylindrical silo of woodor other suitable material with the operation of which my novel method of packing ensilage is intended to be practised. Disposed vertically and centrally within the silo is a shaft 2 which is angular in cross section and preferably of square metal tubing of convenient lengths for handling, and may be coupled together in any suitable manner; the uppermost section of the tube being slidably disposed through, and rotated by a bevel gear 3. A rectangular frame work is disposed on the upper edge of the silo, the sills l thereof being secured thereto and provided with suitable supports for the gear 3. In

brackets 5 carried by he said frame, there a is supported a horizontal, shaft 6, the inner end of which carries a bevel pinion 7 meshing with the gear 3, while the other end of the shaft carries a pulley 8 shown connected through belt 9 to a gas engine 10, or it may bedriven-by any other convenient source of power. H

Carried by the lowermost section of the shaft 2 is a spider 11 to whichispivoted at 12, the. inner ends ofradial; axles 13, while the other-ends extend to a point adjacent the, innerface of the silo. gOn theoutwardly extended endof each axle 13 there is mounted a roller 14:, and on the axles, between the inner end of the rollers and the collars 15,- are coil springs 16 that normally urge the rollers outwardly on the axles. These rollers are arranged to pack the ensilage near the outer edge of the silo. On

each of the axles 13 are revolubly mounted two other rollers 17 and 18 which turn in a circular path, the latter close to the spider 11, so as to pack the ensilage near or at the center of the silo.

Carried by the shaft 2, at a suitable distance above the rollers 14 is a frame comprising radial arms 19, each arm is formed of two equal parts that radiate from the sides of the shaft, with the ends adjacent thereto joined respectively by straps 20 and 21, adapting them for vertical slidable movement upon the shaft 2. Secured to the shaft 2 at a suitable distance above the arms 19, but not in alinement therewith, are arranged similar radial arms 22, to the respective outer ends of which are secured braces 23 that decline downwardly and are secured to the ends of arms 19, thence vertically downward to the axles13, through the apertured ends of which the axles pass, the arms 22 being rigidly supported by braces 24. It will be noted that the outer end of the rollers are rounded, whereby any binding between them and the side wall of the silo is prevented. The rollers. are also shown with the rim or face cut away at regular intervals, but they may be solid if pre ferred, and also ribbed if desired. Carried by one of'the arms 22 is a spreader 25, secured thereto by vertical supports 26 and adapted to even y spread and distribute the ensilage for the convenient passage of the rollers, and one or more may be employed. Boxlike receptacles 27 are provided on the arms 19in which weights may be placed I whendesired to increase the pressure of the rollers on the ensilage.

.From the foregoing description, it is thought to, be obvious that an ensilage packer constructed in accordance'with my "15' 7' 1 and formation of'the several partsyherein invention is particularly well adapted for use-by reasonofthe convenience and facility with which it'rmay be assembled and operated, andjit will. also be obvious that my reasonldo not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement shown in carrying: out my inventionin practice. v,

-' Having thus described-my invfentlon, what I- esteem jgn and desire, to Secure byLveb I 'ters Patent of the United States;i v.

f An' ensilag'e packing device for a silo including vertical vrotatable sectional shaft suitably supported within theqsilo, means for driving the shaft, a spider carried by thelowermost section of said shaft, radially disposed transverse axles pivotally connected at one end to the spider while the other end extends to'a point adjacent the side of j the silo, rollers mounted on the axles and the outer roller on each axle being yieldingly spring pressed outwardly by coil springs mounted on the shafts.

'2. An ensilage' packing device for a silo including a vertical rotatable shaft, packing elements on radially disposed axles mounted on a spider carried by the lower end of the shaft, radially disposed transverse arms slidably disposed on the shaft above the packing elements, similarly dis posed arms rigidly secured to the shaft above the slidable arms, and braces extending from their ends to, and connected with the" ends of the slidable arms and to the axles, as herein "described. In testimony whereof I aflix' my signature.

- JOHN H. COM-ER. 

